water leaking

[six0fourgirl]

Hello, Im Carla from Vancouver Canada. Ive been lurking since last Thursday when I bought myself a 2001 PT 4speed automatic. I much apprieciate all this info, FAB! so...my problem...today when I got home from work I noticed water trickling from under it, so I checked where its coming from, and appears to be the engine. its defaintly just water, no coolant...normal or no? (Im SO scared of the answer!! but had to ask...) My Cruiser (I call her BB-BlackBeauty) has 176,000km on her...also I have no record of any repairs or anything that was done before I got her, and after reading this forum see that I may be in for needing a new timing belt/water pump soon...so how would one know that they needed this if their car was running smooth? (except leaking water....) ThankYou in advance, this forum is AWESOME and Im happy to be a new part of it.

[Mean Green]

Were you using the AC?

[coco1476]

I think Mean Green is on the right track, if you were using the AC or the heater on defrost it will activate the AC and it is normal to see water leaking from the engine bay. If you use the heater on floor or vent, the AC will not come on, but on defrost the AC turns on even if you dont turn the knob to AC. There is no water at all where the engine is so it's probably nothing to worry about

[Hooligan]

Welcome to the Forum, Carla, enjoy your PT!!

[bobs turbo pt]

was it coming from were the fender meets near the door ??

[six0fourgirl]

wow, you guys are the best. Im SO relieved. Yes, I did have the the heater on defrost indeed.I had no clue that meant my ac was always on. ThankYOU!!

[crusierdad76]

Good advise The PT's do seem to drip a lot of water but like already said if it aint green or red your probably safe
however to answer your other questions
with 176xxx if the timing belt hasn't been changed it is LONG way past time Id have somebody that knows something about cars check that probably 1st thing and do the timing belt the water pump and the oil pump while you are there
then maybe a set of wires and plugs make sure the oil is keep changed as ofter as it needs to be---that's a lot of miles on a 4 banger Id for sure go synthetic check the air cleaner I'm probably missing a lot but some body else will jump in

[Teekypt]

Welcome!!! Glad it wasn't a major prob!

[Teekypt]

Originally Posted by crusierdad76

Good advise The PT's do seem to drip a lot of water but like already said if it aint green or red your probably safe
however to answer your other questions
with 176xxx if the timing belt hasn't been changed it is LONG way past time Id have somebody that knows something about cars check that probably 1st thing and do the timing belt the water pump and the oil pump while you are there
then maybe a set of wires and plugs make sure the oil is keep changed as ofter as it needs to be---that's a lot of miles on a 4 banger Id for sure go synthetic check the air cleaner I'm probably missing a lot but some body else will jump in

Yeah...176XXXkm is approx 109,361 miles...so yes, you should have your timing belt looked at.

[Hooligan]

2001's also needs a belt tensioner as that part seemed to go bad also, as long as they are in that area the labor won't be that much more.